Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) - History of SUPs (Suspected Unapproved Parts)
Review by Sofema Online - Taking a look at how long the FAA Suspect Parts Program has been in place.
Introduction
The FAA Suspected Unapproved Parts (SUP) Program Office opened in November 1995 with a mandate to promote a pro-active approach to the task of identifying unapproved parts and removing them from the aviation system.
Only an approved part is deemed to meet the airworthiness requirements of the Federal Aviation Regulations and thereby to provide the confidence necessary to assure the integrity of a system and operational safety.
Today the SUP program extends throughout the Aviation System including Parts Suppliers, Distributors, Owners & Operators. However, there is much work to do to communicate the importance of being vigilant related to the authenticity of Aircraft Parts.
As awareness of Suspect Parts increases there is a commensurate increasing in the reporting and consequently a significant increase in SUP notifications and investigations.
Today the FAA works in concert with other agencies including the Department of Transportation's Office of the Inspector General (DOT/OIG), FBI, Defense Criminal Investigation Service (DCIS), and U.S. Customs-provides for an exchange of information relevant to SUP investigations.
The primary objective of the inter-agency agreement is to co-ordinate to ensure the highest level of safety within the U.S. aviation system.
What is Understood by Airworthiness
Airworthiness means the aircraft conforms to its type certificate and is in condition for safe operation.
Risk is increased when an aircraft part cannot perform its design function. Unapproved aircraft parts may not consistently perform their intended function.
When an aircraft part does not conform to its approved design (consistent with the drawings, specifications, and other data that are part of the type certificate, supplemental type certificate, or field approved alterations), it is uncertain how the part will perform when installed. An installed unapproved part increases risk, reduces safety, and could introduce an unexpected threat to an operating aircraft.
Because of the inherent danger of unapproved aircraft parts, they must be kept out of the system and off the aircraft.
The SUP program has demonstrated the most effective approach to dealing with SUP parts. The entire industry must continuously be proactive in identifying and removing them. FAA Form 8120-11, Suspected Unapproved Parts Notification, includes instructions for completion and identifies the information needed to initiate a SUP investigation.
Sofema Aviation Services www.sassofia.com and Sofema Online www.sofemaonline.com provide a regulatory training course covering the important subject of Suspect Parts within both FAA and EASA Jurisdictions.
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) & Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) Suspect Parts Training – ½ Day course defines the SUPs policy of EASA & FAA; provides procedures to identify SUPs; and outlines investigative techniques which satisfy safety and enforcement responsibilities.
For additional information please see the website or email: office@sassofia.com or online@sassofia.com
